what is an order picker?
An order picker works in a warehouse managing and selecting goods according to the orders they receive. Order pickers work in almost all industries. They stock goods behind a serving counter, organize them in a warehouse, sort them, and place them on pallets or shelves. Good order pickers are quick, accurate, and work as productively as possible to complete their work as efficiently as possible. They often have to work on their feet for long periods. The job is physically and mentally demanding but has great career prospects.
Good order pickers are people who know how to organize and arrange products. They're organized and fast workers who finish their work quickly and accurately. They need to be physically fit to manage their workload successfully. Order pickers are often required to organize products in large amounts and with varying weights. They are good communicators who train others, helping them develop their skills.
view jobs near youaverage order picker salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for an order picker is $30,320 a year. However, your pay could vary depending on your experience, employer and location. Salaries vary from state to state.
Working for an established company gives order pickers a higher salary than working for themselves because they have union rights and benefits, such as paid holidays and health insurance. Self-employed order pickers earn more than their counterparts due to the profit they make from the sales.
Working on weekends helps ensure a higher salary for an order picker. The salary is higher if the order picker has more experience. You can acquire this experience as an order picker by gaining work experience and studying at college. The level of education only sometimes affects the salary of an order picker.
What can you earn as an order picker? Find out immediately with the salary comparison tool! You can quickly and easily see an order picker's average salary.
types of order pickers
The different types of order pickers depend on the size of the company they work for, the number of employees, and the type of industry they work in.
Retail order pickers organize and arrange products and place them on shelves, racks, or other storage locations. They sort products based on size, color, or brand. Retail order pickers are important employees for department stores, supermarkets, and discount stores. They work in any sector, but their job is specific to sales environments.
Wholesale order pickers organize and shop goods that they sell to a distributor or directly to customers. They stock the goods in warehouses, containers, and trucks for delivery. They also arrange goods on shelves or storage areas for future use.
Distribution order pickers organize and sort products in warehouses or vehicles for distribution to clients and customers. They work in warehouses that supply businesses with goods and production plants, where they organize the raw materials needed to produce more goods.
working as an order picker
Working as an order picker gives you the opportunity to work in various environments, which is why many people apply for this job. Order pickers work in many areas, such as supermarkets and department stores.
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order picker job description
As an order picker, you are responsible for picking products from shelves. You store products in different places according to specific instructions. You also organize them on shelves or pallets.
Order pickers are managers who understand how to store goods. They have excellent organization and communication skills, so they can talk to clients and staff members to receive and give instructions.
As an order picker, you need a great sense of organization and responsibility. You are an important part of the supply chain and organized teams. It would help if you also had high levels of flexibility and motivation to deal with significant amounts of dirty or messy work because you are working with products that may include food and beverages.
With experience, order pickers improve their networking, negotiation, and communication skills. They must always be ready to take the initiative and think several steps ahead when solving problems at work, like any other team member. Generally, companies don't allow flexibility or workers to choose their own schedules, except for self-employed order pickers.
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order picker work environment
You need to keep the goods clean during transport and storage. This means you work indoors in warehouses, distribution facilities, and trucks. You also may be outdoors at some points in the day when you are loading containers or pallets with goods. You may be in contact with clients, especially when there is an order from a client or a delivery.
The work environment for order pickers could range from very physical to the most passive. Order pickers can work alone or with other team members, but often, people in this position need much supervision and direction from management.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues could include sales staff, warehouse workers, and other order pickers. You might also work closely with customers and other specialists. Specialists could include warehouse managers, drivers, and production workers. Because your job is to interact with a variety of staff, you need to be sensitive about maintaining a professional relationship.
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work schedule
In general, order pickers work a shift schedule. This means you would be working a set number of hours in the day and resting for a certain amount of time. Companies will often only schedule you for one shift, although you may need to work shorter shifts to meet deadlines or deliveries. Typical work hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. until about 5 p.m. This can change based on the nature of your work and your type of employment.
Working on weekends is very common for order pickers. This gives order pickers the opportunity to work in situations where the business is closed on the weekends. This means that order pickers could choose to work either seven days a week or five days a week. Employers often offer this flexibility.
You must always be ready for changes and flexible about the working conditions you can expect to maintain a higher level of job security.
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job outlook for an order picker
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sees order picker jobs increasing by 6% through 2031. The outlook for an individual in this role depends on their position in the supply chain. This means that sorder picker's primary means of advancement is to gain experience and increase work knowledge and skills. Self-employed order pickers could choose to advance in their careers. At the same time, order pickers who a large company employs may have a greater likelihood of advancement depending on their performance and the desires of their employer.
Once you gain experience as an order picker, a company may promote you to order filler, supervisor, or team leader. You may also want to pursue business courses at a community college or university if you would like to work in the same sector your entire life.
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benefits of working for randstad as an order picker
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as an order picker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
order picker skills and education
You need to be very organized, and if you want to advance, you have to have good communication skills. You also need to be flexible since you work a lot of hours in the day, so you will be in different places at different times and are likely to witness some unpredictable problems.
Order pickers usually need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. You may also need to have basic math and reading skills, as these are essential for accurately reading pick tickets and locating items in the warehouse.
In order to progress with your career as an order picker, it is best if you study toward a degree related to your field. This is the most lucrative way of gaining the skills and experiences you need to move up to a higher level in the field. You might even be able to combine your skills with another degree, such as business management or computer science, to broaden your knowledge in the sector.
skills and competencies
In order to progress in your career as an order picker, you need to have good communication skills, the ability to handle stress and challenges, and the ability to problem-solve and think on your feet. You also need to be able to read and write quickly so that you can complete tasks efficiently. You may need to be able to lift heavy objects, which means that you could also benefit from training courses that teach you how to do this safely and effectively.
You should have a good knowledge of logistics as part of your career progression as an order picker. This means that you need to understand how companies transport goods and where companies place these goods in the supply chain. This is especially important if you want to take on a more senior role in the industry.
FAQs about working as an order picker
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about order pickers.
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where is the right place to start a career as an order picker?
The right place to start a career as an order picker would be in some of the work placement programs that are available. These opportunities often give you hands-on experience and training that you can use when you move into your role.
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how do I progress in my career as an order picker?
You can advance your career as an order picker by gaining some experience and skills in your field. This could include studying towards a degree related to your field, gaining qualifications or certifications, or working in a higher-level role for a short period of time.
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what is the most important thing order pickers need to do in order to advance?
The number one thing that order pickers need to do in order to advance is gain experience. Once you have the skills and experience that you need, your career could advance by taking on higher-level jobs or moving into managerial roles.
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what are some of the common mistakes that new order pickers make in trying to progress?
There are a number of typical errors that new order pickers make in attempting to progress. One of these is not seeking out second-hand opportunities. Secondly, you should always choose a company that provides opportunities for advancement because this will help you move up in the field once you have gained experience and skills.
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what is the best way to increase my chances of getting a job as an order picker?
The best way to improve your chances of getting a job is by applying to many employment agencies. This gives you more potential employers to choose from, which can give you a wider range of opportunities. You should also treat employers who approach you as if they are interviewing for the job, which means that you should be prepared and ready to answer any questions that they ask.
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how do I find a job as an order picker?
Applying for an order picker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our order picker jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
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